In this article, we will discuss the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. When the heart muscles contract it is known as systolic, whereas when the heart muscles relax it is known as diastolic. During systole, blood pressure increases, but during diastole, blood pressure decreases.
These are two types of blood pressure, controlled by a person’s heart rate. The heart is an organ that provides oxygenated blood to all the tissues, organs and other parts of the body. To pump blood, the heart contracts and relaxes continuously and thus supplies more and more blood to the body, this is called the cardiac cycle. One cardiac cycle is completed in 0.8 seconds and 75 beats per minute is the average heart rate.
This cycle is carried out by the chambers in the blood, such as the atria and ventricles, both of which play a role in contracting and then ejecting blood into the ventricles, the ventricles contract to send blood out of the heart. Once again deoxygenated blood enters from the right side of the heart and gets oxygen from the lungs, and then oxygenated blood is pumped again from the left side of the heart.
Blood pressure measurement is done with a sphygmomanometer, but nowadays more advanced techniques are also available. Measurements were made in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). For example, if the resting blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, the first represents the systolic and the second represents the diastolic, while the difference between the two numbers of 40 is the pulse pressure.
Pulse pressure acts as a predictor of a person’s heart condition, especially for older people. People with diabetes, high cholesterol and kidney disease are generally at higher risk. Second, lifestyle also carries the risk of such conditions. So, in this content, we will differentiate the two types of blood pressure with a summary. But first, let’s look at the definition between the two.
Definition of Systolic Blood Pressure
The activity of the heart, when it beats, which ejects blood to different parts of the body through the arteries, causing that pressure to be created in the blood vessels, this pressure or force is referred to as systolic blood pressure.
There are two types of systolic blood pressure, namely high systolic blood pressure and low systolic blood pressure. High systolic blood pressure occurs when the person is exercising at high pressure. At this time the heart beats stronger than normal and the contraction of the heart muscle increases and hence the systolic pressure increases.
In cases of low systolic blood pressure where the heart rate becomes lower than normal, this is referred to as systolic hypotension. This can lead to dizziness, organ failure, etc.
The mean systolic blood pressure was measured below 120 mm Hg. The range between 120-129 is considered elevated, while the range between 130-139 is said to be high blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension, the most critical being stage 2 hypertension which is 140, while 180 is a more hypertensive stage and one should immediately contact a doctor.
Definition of Diastolic Blood Pressure
In the case of diastolic blood pressure, the force exerted by the blood between arterial heartbeats, this is when the heart pumps blood inactively into the arteries.
In systolic pressure the heart’s ventricles contract, but here in the diastolic stage the male ventricle itself relaxes and is refilled with blood. The period of ventricular relaxation is called ‘diastole’.
Difference Between Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
The summary of the points below will show that how the two blood pressures differ from each other:
- When blood pressure is highest or when the heart beats (heart muscle contracts), systolic pressure is generated, whereas when blood pressure is minimal, it is referred to as diastolic blood pressure. Diastolic pressure is generated between beats or at the resting heart muscle between beats; it’s time to refill the blood.
- The blood pressure in the arteries is maximum at the time of systolic pressure while the minimum at the time of diastolic.
- When the left ventricle and blood vessels contract, it is the systolic phase, and when the left ventricle and blood vessels relax, it is called the diastolic phase.
- The normal systolic range is 90-120 mm Hg in adults; 100mm Hg (6-9 years); 95 mm Hg (infants), on the other hand, 60-80 mm Hg; 65 mm Hg (6-9 years); 65mm Hg (infants) is the normal range for diastole.
- With increasing age the systolic pressure increases, while the diastolic pressure decreases, and therefore it is advisable to monitor the pressure in time with age.
- Blood pressure readings can be checked by observing the numbers displayed on the Sphygmomanometer screen, the higher number is the systolic, while the lower number is the diastolic pressure.
Conclusion: From the above article we can say that when the heart muscle relaxes and contracts, we use the terms systole and diastole. The balance between them (systole and diastole) measures a person’s health and heart condition. Over time one should visit a doctor to follow up on their medical condition, as this can be life threatening too if neglected.
